On the plane

Dear Stockholm (An introduction to Dear Budapest),

Why is is impossible to find food in Kungsholmen past 10pm?

Adios mio!  What better way to start off a summer in Budapest than by touring Stockholm with your best friend!?  Note photo on left.

Stockholm Day 1

We walked around like zombies the first day... frozen zombies.  For June, it was sooo cold out.  Suited up in our sweatshirts and long pants, we traversed the many islands that comprise Stockholm.  Several things became very clear in about an hour or two of walking around this majestic, chilly city:  Stockholm LOVES H&M (ex: there were three located in the same square... why, Stockholm, why?).  Stockholm also has a rockin' chain of 7-Elevens where you can purchase yummy bread and pastries, and coffee that is actually drinkable.  We also learned that you can only buy alcohol at the System Bolaget because liquor is controlled by the government.  This means no alcohol sales past ~6/7 pm. Sad panda.

Angela captured this endearing moment on film

Stockholm receives a ton of tourists.  You will note my being a tourist in the photo on the left.  As I sat down to take the picture, a purple-haired lady showed up and said, in broken English, "I want picture, without you, you get up?"  Jeez lady, I just sat down.  I clearly needed to take a quick picture with this "my-size" bear statue. 

Sweden is rolling her eyes at this tourist

"You need new job!"

  Most people were super helpful and sweet, unlike purple-haired lady mentioned above.  One plump German tourist took this photo of Angela and myself.  He said that we needed new jobs-- as models.  Angela quipped, "You need new glasses!"  Our German friend did not understand her humor, however.  He also tried to follow us to our next stop... maybe he was lonely?  But we were sketched-out, so we had to shake him.

Stockholm, sometimes I don't understand you, but I like you.

I will try to sum up the Stockholm trip in my next post, where we will learn about the wonders of the Vasa Museum, and Spirit (Alcohol) Museum.  Then I will get into describing life in Budapest (been here for 2 days thus far). Hopefully I am able to keep up some sort of blog-- I've been taking photos like crazy, but it is so difficult to sit down and write when the world is waiting to be discovered.

Vizslat,
Ashley